Sarah Josepha Bale, the Promoter of Thanksgiving Day
In her novel Northwood Life North and South and England under the title A New England Tale of 1827, she devoted an entire chapter to this gathering in which family and friends, regardless of their religious beliefs, gather around the table, which offers roasted stuffed turkey, which, according to the National Turkey Federation, 88% of Americans eat this animal at the celebration, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, corn muffins, green bean stew, caramelized sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie.
The Woman Post | Maria Claudia Londoño
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Historically, it is considered that the first Thanksgiving dinner was organized by the settlers of Plymouth, the current state of Massachusetts, in 1621, when they decided to share with the Wampanoag Indians to celebrate the autumn harvest and in gratitude for their help in surviving the harsh winter, teach them to hunt, fish and farm.
Sarah dedicated herself to writing letters from 1846 for 17 years, proposing the unification of this national holiday. She wrote to five presidents: Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln until she did so in 1863.
When John Blake of Boston read Sarah's novel, he called her to be the editor of a magazine in the United States about women's issues, and she accepted, becoming the first editor of the American Ladies Magazine. Within a few years, Louis Godey of Philadelphia acquired the magazine and merged it with Godey's Lady's Book, keeping Hale as editor, who made it a popular publication during the pre-Civil War period.
She was an active promoter of education for women and a promoter of women's right to work. She additionally authored the popular song "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Once Sarah Buell manages to establish the celebration of Thanksgiving throughout the United States since then it has become the most important celebration before Christmas.
What happens during this celebration?
• Family members plan to travel thousands of miles to celebrate together with their loved ones. Therefore, it is the season with the highest traffic congestion of the whole year, both on roads and at airports.
• Three football games are scheduled between the NFL teams, which is a very attractive plan for Americans who like this sport.
• The traditional parade that runs through Times Square in New York takes place. The most famous is the one organized by the Macy's chain, which puts together large floats with huge balloons that represent cartoon characters.
• The president of the United States makes the so-called “Turkey Pardon” at the White House, before dinner. They say this started in 1947 with President Harry S. Truman, but the first recorded "official pardon" was granted by George H. Bush in 1989.
Thus, thanks to a female activist, author, and writer, this day is one of the most famous commemorations around the globe!
